Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. But Mardi Gras history actually extends all the way back to the days before Christianity in Ancient Rome, and has roots in pagan spring festivals. As with most other holidays with a deep heritage, the traditions and customs of Mardi Gras evolved as it moved through countries, continents, and centuries and became the raucous, joy-filled The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” and refers to the ritualistic eating of generally unhealthy foods (hello, king cake) and meat before the traditional 40 days of fasting that accompany After the Civil War, Comus returned to the parade scene in 1866. Four years later, the Twelfth Night Revelers debuted. This unique group made Carnival history at its 1871 ball when a young women was presented with a golden bean hidden inside a giant cake, signifying her selection as Mardi Gras’ first queen and starting the “king cake” tradition. Because the whole point of Mardi Gras is to enjoy life's excesses before Lent begins, Creole and Cajun dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice are a major part of the celebration. And Mardi Gras just wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without king cake, an oval pastry with a sugary icing in Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. As such that first Mardi Gras march was a major civil rights milestone beyond the gay community. Up to 3,000 people marched in an incident-free parade in 1979. In 1980 a key new element was introduced – the post-parade party. The face of the modern Mardi Gras we know today was taking shape. Masquerade masks of Mardi Gras are a classic symbol of the celebration, steeped in history, artistry, and mystery. These masks date back to the traditions of European Carnival, where they were worn to become anonymous, allowing wearers to break free from the constraints of society and indulge in the festivities without fear of judgment. Flambeaux: It’s a Mardi Gras tradition that has become revered as an art form today, having blossomed well beyond the practical purpose it first served. Over the past century and a half, city infrastructure has evolved, and Mardi Gras parades incorporate more high-tech LED lighting. The Krewe of Argus, founded in 1972, includes 450 male, female and child riders. Over a million revelers looking for family-oriented parades flock to the Veterans Memorial Parade Route in Metairie on Mardi Gras Day to see Argus' spectacular floats, marching bands and guest celebrities. And wait till you hear the ingredient list: 4,000 pounds of Danish flour, 286 pounds of yeast, 428 dozen eggs, 1,178 pounds of water, 8.925 gallons of flavoring, 2,087 pounds of icing, 331 pounds Sydney Mardi Gras Packages. 3 Night Mardi Gras Package; 4 Night Mardi Gras Package; 7 Night Mardi Gras Package; Experience Sydney; Photo Galleries; Get involved. Ways to Contribute; Volunteers; Artists and Producers; Work with Us; Support Networks; Our Partners; Become a Partner; Become a Member; About Us. Who we are. History; Strategic Plan Founded in 1996, the Krewe of Oshun is named for the Yoruba goddess of love and intimacy. Led by the captain aboard a peacock float, the parade includes 20 Barry Barth floats, several bands who participate in a contest, and marching Baby Dolls. It doesn't matter if you look like an enticing porcelain doll, an evil jester, or a proud feathered peacock. After all, you are parading on the streets just for a day, binging on the big feast before the fast and hiding behind a mask! CelebrationJoy uncovers the history and reason why people wear masks during Mardi Gras. Unlike most holidays that have a fixed date, the date of Mardi Gras changes every year. It always falls the Tuesday before Lent begins.. Mardi Gras is a day of partying and feasting before entering the penitential season of Lent, which honors the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert resisting the temptations of Satan. Mardi Gras masks are more than just festive accessories—they carry a rich history and cultural significance. Every detail, Mardi Gras color and design tells a story, and the artists who craft Halloween Womens Peacock Feather Mask Masquerade mask, Mardi Gras Mask Women Party Fancy Dress Costumes Venetian Mask Blue $12.33 $ 12 . 33 Get it as soon as Saturday, Feb 1 Check out our mardi gras peacock selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our collage shops.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |